Warrington Wolves Praise Overseas Star Matt Dufty’s Impact in Challenge Cup Semi-Final Victory
Warrington Wolves’ head coach Sam Burgess and acting captain George Williams sang the praises of Australian full-back Matt Dufty following the team’s resounding 46-10 victory over Huddersfield Giants in the Challenge Cup semi-final on Sunday.
Dufty, who joined the Wolves in July 2022 after an early release from his NRL contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs, was instrumental in securing the team’s trip to Wembley for the first time since 2019. The New South Wales native scored a brace of tries and set up another, showcasing his attacking prowess as one of seven different Warrington scorers on the day.
Dufty’s Defensive Contributions Praised
Burgess, impressed by Dufty’s all-around performance, highlighted the full-back’s defensive work as a key factor in limiting the Giants to just 10 points. “The cameras don’t necessarily pick it up, but the players certainly respect what he’s doing for us and for them out the back,” the Wolves boss said. “He’s making more of those (one-on-one) tackles than he misses now, and to me they’re more important than scoring them (tries).”
Dufty as a “Confidence Player”
Williams, who himself joined Warrington in 2022 after an early release from Canberra Raiders, described Dufty as a “confidence player” and expressed his delight in playing alongside the dynamic full-back. “He’s good to watch, isn’t he?! I love playing with him, especially when he comes alive,” the Wire’s vice-captain remarked. “As a team, we’re enjoying seeing him making the one-on-ones, taking the high balls and putting his body where it hurts.”
The article also notes that Dufty, currently the only player in Super League to have amassed over 2,000 metres in the opening 11 rounds of the season, received the BBC’s man of the match award for his performance in the semi-final clash.
With Warrington’s Challenge Cup final appearance secured, the Wolves will look to the talented Dufty to continue his impressive form as they bid to lift the trophy at Wembley.
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